'92, ticking / marble rolling sound?

[Eskareon]

I apologize ahead of time for any vague and ambiguous descriptions.

As said, 1992 Park Avenue with 164K miles. I pulled up to a friend's apartment and was waiting for them to come down. When they approached my car, they made a funny face at the hood. When I turned my music down, I heard an audible "ticking" sound... but ticking I would think is too quick. Perhaps like a marble or something is rolling around in a metal container? But on intervals... RIGHT. Anyhow, this noise started while I was sitting there waiting because I didn't hear it when I left home or on the way there (my music really wasn't that loud).

I did notice, however, that the noise is predominantely audible when I'm idling. If I apply a little gas, to about 2000 or so RPM, the noise fades away. Also, the car doesn't feel like it is struggling to drive or anything, it drives just normal minus the clack/tick sound. It -seems- to be coming from the engine block but I cannot be sure.

A little history: for awhile now I've had problems shifting into Park from most drives, and it is impossible if I am in reverse. I'll have to first shift into Drive / Neutral and then work it gently into park. I noticed when i go in reverse that there is a definite ticktickticktick sound and I can feel it vibrating in the steering column. If I shift into neutral while reversing, the ticking stops altogether. I don't know if this has anything to do with my engine noise. Also, the Change Oil light just came on about 3 days ago.

So, to sum up: Ticking/Clack/Rock sound that is audible when idling but fades away when the engine revs to 2000+ rpm. The car feels normal while driving. The noise came when I was sitting idle, engine was running. Right now the car is just sitting in a visitor spot at the apartment complex because I'm afraid of driving it >_<

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

[W1234]

Find out of you have an air suspension system. Mine is a '94 and has an old and tired air suspension unit that makes an terrible sound shortly after the car has been parked or if I have just sat down, and haven't started the car. If it is the an sir suspension unit, its just adjusting the car's ride height accordingly.

[yogi_123rd]

Could this be the heat shield over the exhaust manifold vibrating? On mine it has rusted thru and is just resting on the pipes (and vibrating like sheet metal) at idle.

[Eskareon]

In reply to W1234:

I know the sound you are talking about - my suspension does it anytime you move around in the vehicle, even if its off. This is different.

In reply to rest:

I had a friend look at it and he believes it is the power steering assembly... thingy. He tugged lightly on the gear-wheel with the belt and it clanked ever-so-slightly. He says it is getting loose and that is the sound I hear as the belts whirls around. That may also explain why it doesn't do it as much at higher rpms - the high speed may actually help to balance the shaft. If this is the case, then I'll need to purchase a new power steering assembly... thing. Sigh.

[GSteven]

I have a 94 Ultra which has the supercharger on it. The same sound you describe emanates from the front bearing in the S/C at idle. If you have this model you may want to check to see if you can deteck an slight oil leak at the front of the S/C. If that is the case you are probably looking at the same $600 (used) - $1200 (new) as I am to replace the supercharger.

Keep me posted.
Steve

[ultravip]

hi guys!...well for your marble sound.......i just replaced my water pump on my 92,it made that exact sound and the ticking came from the edge of the pulley touching the edge of the bolt holding the pump!!!! all gone with the new pump!!!!!!